DEC to Reopen Lower Locks on Saranac Chain of Lakes on Saturday, July 1

Boaters Again Able to Access Five Lakes and 5,000+ Acres of Water Starting this Weekend

Repairs and rehabilitation work on the Lower Locks that provide passage on the Saranac River allowing boaters to access the waters between Lake Flower and Lower Saranac Lake have been completed and the locks will be open for use on July 1, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today.

"The Lower Locks have long been a unique and essential structure for recreating on more than 5,000 acres of water, including five large lakes, in the Saranac Lake area," said Director Stegemann. "These improvements improve lock operations and greatly reduce the number of times, and possibly eliminate, lock closure for minor repairs."

Improvements included:

Rehabilitating the fill and release doors and the wicket (main) doors, including replacing all seals and bearings;

Completely replacing the hydraulic system including hydraulic arms, lines and operating system;

Repairing concrete walls;

Replacing and re-equipping the Locks Operator Shed; and

Replacing all tie downs, ropes, and other equipment.

DEC staff will be present to operate the locks from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Site cleanup of materials and equipment associated with the repair and rehabilitation work has not been completed, boaters should remain in their boats while at locks.

Repairs were also completed this spring on a broken swing arm on the Upper Locks, providing additional access for boaters between Lower Saranac and Middle Saranac lakes.

The $1.2 million project was funded through NY Works under a New York State Office of General Services contract. CHA Companies of Albany, NY, provided the design and inspection. Friend Construction and Dow Electrical, both of Malone, NY, completed the work under DEC supervision.